The scene may have resembled an umbrella convention, but the wet weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of classical music fans at the rain-soaked proms spectacular which was held at Weston Park.

A 4,500-strong crowd of music lovers converged on the park, armed with brollies, picnics, deckchairs and Union flags for the patriotic annual open-air concert by the English National Orchestra.

Despite glorious sunshine early on, from practically the moment the band struck up at 7.30pm the rain started. But in true British style, the show went on regardless.

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The scene may have resembled an umbrella convention, but the wet weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of classical music fans at the rain-soaked proms spectacular which was held at Weston Park.

A 4,500-strong crowd of music lovers converged on the park, armed with brollies, picnics, deckchairs and Union flags for the patriotic annual open-air concert by the English National Orchestra.

Despite glorious sunshine early on, from practically the moment the band struck up at 7.30pm the rain started. But in true British style, the show went on regardless. T

he orchestra, conducted by Jae Alexander and featuring Welsh tenor Wynne Evans and Lichfield opera singer Sarah Ryan, led the flag-wavers through rousing anthems such as Rule Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory, and Jerusalem.

Highlights also included an aerial display from a Second World War Spitfire which accompanied the Dambusters March and 633 Squadron music, plus a dazzling fireworks finale.

PE teacher Lucy Evans was celebrating her hen party and 27th birthday at the proms with family and friends from Codsall Wood. They had donned pink tiaras for the occasion and were sipping Pimms. She said: “This is the first time I have been to the proms and the atmosphere is great.”

Ken Palmer and 38 members of the British Legion in Short Heath, Willenhall, draped a Union flag table cloth over their picnic table. Mr Palmer, aged 57, from Glenhurst Close, said: “People in this country will never let the weather get them down. We just carry on with our champagne and a lot of people even get emotional because it is such a great atmosphere.”

Sisters Alison Collier and Sue Galloway-Jones wore red, white and blue-themed clothes and danced in the rain.

Mrs Galloway-Jones, from Dawley, said: “The Dambusters music and the Spitfire overhead makes you proud to be British.”